Loose-leaf binder



Oct. 31, 1939, E. G. DoRTcH LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed Dec. 27, 1938INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 31, 1939 "UNITED stares PATENT OFFICE 2Claims.

This invention relates to loose-leaf binders and has for an object toprovide a loose-leaf binder which will be devoid of posts.

A further object is to provide a loose-leaf binder having a pair oflever operated hooks mounted on the back of the binder and adapted tohook into recesses in the edges of the leaves to detachably secure theleaves in the binder.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will beformed of a few strong simple and durable parts, which will beinexpensive to manufacture, and which will not easily get o-ut of order.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists ofcertain novel details of construction and combinations of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood thatvarious modiiications may be resorted to Within the scope of theappended claims without departing from the spirit vor sacrificing any ofthe advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification,-

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a loose-leaf binder with a portion ofthe back broken away to expose the lever operated leaf engaging hooks.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the binder shown in Figure 1with portions broken away.

l Figure 3 is a detail perspective View of one of the lever operatedhooks.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the binder leaves showingthe notches therein for receiving the hooks.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 5 5 ofFigure 2 showing the channel member for receiving the rear edges of theleaves.

Referring now to the drawing in which like characters of referencedesignate similar parts in the various views, the loose-leaf bindercomprises a flat sheet metal back I having the edges rolled back to formhinge eyes I I to receive hinge ointles I2 which are passed throughhinge eyes I3 carried by the stiff side covers I4 of the book, .herebeing slots I in the hinge eyes of the back, ts shown in Figure 2, toreceive the hinge eyes if the side covers.

A channel member I6 is riveted or otherwise :ecured to the sheet metalback I0 to receive' he rear edges I'I of the loose leaves I8. The:hannel member holds the leaves accurately tacked to locate transversegrooves I9 of the eaves, shown in Figure 4, in position to receive helocking hooks later described. A removably (Cl. 12B-18) mounted backmember 20, of concave contour, is provided with a plurality of crossmembers 2| which terminate in resilient hooks 22 that embrace the hingeeyes I3 of the side walls I4, as shown in Figure 5, to detachably mountthe mem- 5 ber in place. This back member forms a housing for thelocking hooks about to be described.

`There are two locking hooks 23, preferably formed of sheet metal, oneof which is shown in Figure 3. The flat Shanks of these hooks extendoppositely to each other along the sheet metal back I0 and the freehooked ends 24 are adapted to be received in the grooves I9 of theleaves I8 to hold the leaves clamped in the channel member at the upperand lower edges of the leaves. The opposed ends of the locking hooks areconnected to respective ends of a short lever 25 which is pivot-edintermediate its ends as shown at 26 in Figure 1 upon the metal backl 0at about the center thereof. One of the hooks is equipped with a handle2l which is secured at one end as sho-wn at 28 to the hook and at thefree end is bent laterally to provide a grip 29 through the medium ofwhich the handle may be pulled outwardly or shoved inwardly tocorrespondingly move the hooked ends 24 of the locking hooks out of orinto engagement with the grooves I 9 of the leaves I 8.

In operation when the hooked ends 24 of the locking hooks are engaged inthe grooves I9 in 30 the ends of the leaves I8, the leaves are heldsecurely in the channel member I 6. When the grip 2S of the handle 2l ispulled outwardly the respective locking hook 23 is moved outwardly androcks the lever 25 on its pivot to simultane- 35 ously move outwardlythe companion locking lever 23 and disengage the hooked ends of bothlocking hooks from the grooves in the leaves.

From the above description it is thought that the construction andoperation of the invention will be fully understood without furtherexplanation.

What is claimed is:

l. A loose-leaf binder comprising a back, covers hinged to the back, achannel member extending longitudinally of the back, leaves confined atthe rear portions thereof in the channel member and having a line oftransverse grooves in the top and bottom edges, hook members slidablymounted on the back and projecting from respective opposite ends of theback, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends on the back and pivotallyconnected to opposed ends of the hook members, and means on one of thehook members for movne Q back element in place, a channel member securedto said back plate, leaves having the rear portions removably tted insaid channel member and having transversely aligned grooves on the `topand on the bottom edges, and hook members slidably mounted on the backand housed by said removable back member, said hook members beingadapted to be engaged in and disengaged from said grooves.

EULIE G. DORTCH.

